John Mellencamp - Paper In Fire Lyrics






She had a dream
And boy it was a good one
So she chased after her dream
With much desire
But when she got too close
To her expectations
Well the dream burned up
Like paper in fire

[Chorus:]
Paper in fire
Stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smokin' up the alleyways
Who's to say the way
A man should spend his days
Do you let them smolder
Like paper in fire

He wanted love
With no invovlement
So he chased the wind
That's all his silly life required
And the days of vanity
Went on forever
And he saw his days burn up
Like paper in fire

[Chorus]

There is a good life
Right across the green field
And each generation
Stares at it from afar
But we keep no check
On our appetites
So the green fields turn to brown
Like paper in fire

[Chorus]





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John Mellencamp Paper In Fire Comments
  1. T.... M....

    Me and my sister was the lil black girls with them in the video in Savannah ga 33 yrs ago

  2. S.... S....

    America forever soiled by its empire of cotton and institutional racism.

  3. D.... T....

    Real music with real people. Just sayin

  4. w.... ....

    I love his songs!

  5. p.... ....

    I was a white boy growing up on a farm in the Cotswolds, England….I loved this song as I did the violin player!!! Wow….so many memories…

  6. C.... K....

    Violin girl I love you.......yeah

  7. V.... J....

    Sure 57 does it direct mic

  8. J.... G....

    Probably the greatest video ever made!

  9. L.... A....

    Yes I've commented before on this outstanding Artist. The energy in this song is intoxicating and the music is so flawless that you are seriously outside of your body in a whole different universe. This is Musical Art in it's purest form. Thanks to my Uncle Daniel who tuned me in on this Kickaszz Artist.

  10. K.... K....

    Great song! Grew up with this talented artist in the 80s. Today's music can't beat this!

  11. T.... M....

    Its Hot!

  12. U.... ....

    This is like the end scene of "The Jerk" taken to it's most extreme...

    U.... ....

    Yes, I agree. A perfect sentiment, lol.

  13. M.... K....

    I don't Care if Somones Black or White-as long as he or She is "allright"-means to me No Criminal-No Terrorist or any Kind of that-Just a straight Person! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGIN!!🇺🇸💪👍✌️

  14. r.... ....

    no color no race no racism just playing music having fun and loving each other like GOD intended it to be

  15. B.... K....

    We just need to get back to this kind of music

    B.... K....

    You call that sound of shit music !

  16. i.... ....

    The wonders of the age, there's a redheaded fiddle player, maybe auburn hair. Google here, link there, Lisa Germano. No such luck for the chorus singers in Roger Waters What God Wants. I'll try again someday.

  17. a.... d....

    Bellissimo video!! Fantastici John!!!😃😌😍😘💘💃💘💋💕

  18. k.... U....

    democrats bring diversion republicans bring john meloncamp.

    k.... U....

    Yeeeah John Cougar Mellencamp is a Liberal Democrat and Republicans are the biggest racists there's on sitting in the White House now jagoff

  19. N.... S....

    My mentor was , the really funny thing is God is good.

  20. S.... M....

    Feeling nostalgic having a Mellencamp night. Songs are still fresh and music superb.

  21. F.... A....

    Fuuuaa Gracias Indio por las recomendaciones

  22. P.... W....

    BEAUTIFUL Video, great song!

  23. J.... S....

    love the neighborhood not single piece of trash on the ground

  24. s.... q....

    Back in a time when the music industry had people with talent and heart

  25. M.... J....

    How Can You Not Love This Man!

  26. T.... C....

    That scum dumped his wife for another. Not a Godly person.

  27. z.... d....

    THREE ADS before the video plays?! Are you kidding me?! Going back to my iPod. Youtube for entertainment now pretty much sucks because of all the ads. The info/how-to videos are still worth it....

  28. P.... S....

    ...papel en fuego...

  29. D.... C....

    I would love to have hair like John, but mine's like the drummers! Never mind.

  30. E.... S....

    Digging that quicksilver tank top

  31. M.... G....

    second best song ever written?

  32. M.... A....

    Awesome video awesome song damn we miss this America the orange oaf has stolen from all of us!!

  33. F.... ....

    The great thing about this is how natural everything sounds compared to most of the over-produced late 1980s music. It's a brave man who can go against all the fads and trends of the time. This sounds timeless while most of the other music of the time sounds dated. I salute you John ! btw his recent albums are excellent too.

  34. H.... S....

    I miss this quality. Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow went to N.Z years ago, and I couldn't afford to go, and I knew that was pretty much the last good wholesome talent left from when America was still good.
    Makes me sad and angry, but seeing genuine joy in the participants and locals here alleviates it somewhat~

  35. M.... B....

    Inspiration and words come right out of the book of Ecclesiastes.

  36. G.... H....

    GARRY HIXON MTV NEWS......JOHN MELLENCAMP.....PAPER AND FIRE......1987......2019

  37. D.... V....

    This is absolutely wonderful ❤️
    I'd love to have been there 😊

  38. L.... o....

    I was twelve when I first heard and saw this on Friday Night Videos.Still love it & still think the lady on violin is sexy 😊

  39. D.... W....

    Amazing tune! dx

  40. r.... ....

    WANT My 80S 🎼🎵🎶🎤🎧📻🎷📞🎻🎺🎹🎸🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎧🎶🎵🎻🎤

  41. d.... ....

    My mom saw him in concert in L.A. when the album came out.

  42. D.... R....

    Paper and 🔥😎

  43. m.... l....

    Sheesh he was/is so talented and let's be honest,a real cutie in this vid

    m.... l....

    Yes, I love the video atmosphere

  44. D.... S....

    This song is impossible to recreate

    It could be recreated...


    If that man


    Got off his ass😊

  45. A.... H....

    These people 💯 percent more happy than people with money

  46. J.... A....

    Burnt Ofernings

  47. J.... A....

    God's fire

  48. J.... A....

    My bad meet it in good way

  49. J.... A....

    Destiny Mounique Aguirre Are Angel for life And life

  50. p.... b....

    I only heard this recently. What a Beat!

  51. M.... c....

    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🤘 love this guy

  52. A.... K....

    THIS, one world is enough for ALL of us! :-) Love it!

  53. j.... f....

    This piece should have made music history!!

  54. P.... J....

    She had a dream
    And boy it was a good one
    So she chased after her dream
    With much desire
    But when she got too close
    To her expectations
    Well the dream burned up
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus:]
    Paper in fire
    Stinkin' up the ashtrays
    Paper in fire
    Smokin' up the alleyways
    Who's to say the way
    A man should spend his days
    Do you let them smolder
    Like paper in fire

    He wanted love
    With no invovlement
    So he chased the wind
    That's all his silly life required
    And the days of vanity
    Went on forever
    And he saw his days burn up
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus]

    There is a good life
    Right across the green field
    And each generation
    Stares at it from afar
    But we keep no check
    On our appetites
    So the green fields turn to brown
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus]

  55. C.... I....

    Trump 2020!!!!

  56. B.... S....

    I'll admit when Mellencamp began he wasn't big on my list, he made good music, wrote a good radio song, but never reached my soul, made me feel something. I want a song to hit me hard, sweet, gentle or make me dance.

    Then Paper in Fire and Cherry Bomb hit my senses. He's been one of my favorites ever since, great musician and even better guy.

  57. J.... J....

    Just love it!! John has been around for so long and has stayed true to his roots!!! Love him!!

  58. S.... C....

    ESPN Speedworld anyone?....

  59. K.... R....

    This song unexpectedly rocks... My favorite of his lesser known hits.

  60. L.... S....

    So cool rocking song 👌☝️😎🤞🤙 Love you JhonMelon..thank you.

  61. B.... B....

    pure gold

  62. b.... b....

    Oh, where have you gone😐😁😘

  63. W.... C....

    With no involvement LOL LOL LOL ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROD

  64. W.... C....

    Let me get this straight she wanted LOVE with no what LOL

  65. W.... C....

    When she got to close

  66. H.... ....

    Grandma out there don't give a damn but dance

  67. E.... M....

    dam good music if i may say so,:)--2019

  68. J.... M....

    The man has no preference to color.he treats everyone the same.this is what music is about.everyone coming together

  69. p.... b....

    This has a kick ass Beat! Another good one by John Mellencamp.

  70. E.... L....

    Great artist and performer

  71. s.... j....

    Haven't seen this in a long long time. What a great video and tune. Those back up singers are awesome. This is a cool song.

  72. K.... H....

    This music and especially the video makes me feel good :-)

  73. G.... V....

    “When she got to close to her expectations, her dream burned up like paper and fire.” So true.

  74. J.... S....

    Ready for a Go Round with Del Norte and Curry County Scanners Feed Face Book Group VEVO?

  75. p.... b....

    Really good Beat! First time I heard this. I missed it back then

  76. S.... W....

    I dont know if it was John or his drummer who come up with the snare sound for this album, But I love the snare sound . I love that pop

  77. F.... 7....

    So much hair ...great song thou .

  78. 8.... L....

    W❤️ W That is what I like to feel. When I hear A good Tune<<<<< ❤️ <<<<<> P.T.L <<<<<<<<<

  79. D.... P....

    My New Favorite video TY YT

  80. L.... S....

    Don't forget you can always cut up them magazines and hang them next to the toilet good housing say you can save a fortune on toilet paper the news agent always left overs under the counter

  81. L.... S....

    His child needs some backup while she's dealing with those old arsed headquarters and the wife's wives

  82. E.... ....

    "...he wanted love...with no involvement,
    so he chased the wind, that's all his silly life required,
    and the days of vanity, went on forever...
    and he saw his days burn up, like paper in fire..."


    pretty chilling how this verse of a song that i've heard many time now fits...ME. throw in the part, "...who's to say the way a man should spend his days...", and it hits home even harder.



    those are some pretty heavy lyrics for john to have written as a young man.

  83. T.... K....

    I like!

  84. E.... B....

    Always LoveD tHis one.

  85. D.... S....

    Love Love Love

  86. v.... ....

    This i real music and the real life,

  87. M.... D....

    God he sure is a damn sexy man oh baby forgot how gorgeous he is

  88. L.... S....

    Sure do seem to know how women should spend their time mr

  89. J.... G....

    Me : Can't stop moving my shoulders through this song, nor stop tapping my 👢 specially at the [🎻]
    part.
    😎🎤🎶🎶paper and fire 🎶👏🎻👢👏🎻👢👏🎻👢👏🎻👏

  90. L.... S....

    Who would want to keep up with you and your law makers check them out

  91. J.... F....

    One of the most under rated song ever.

  92. D.... B....

    JM amazes me..he gets right down to the nitty gritty of simple life..his heart touches all who remember these days of yore

  93. A.... S....

    mmm....Mellencamp!!!
    Dance Cheryl!!!! Love Ya!

  94. I.... ....

    "Paper In Fire"

    She had a dream
    And boy it was a good one
    So she chased after her dream
    With much desire
    But when she got too close
    To her expectations
    Well the dream burned up
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus:]
    Paper in fire
    Stinkin' up the ashtrays
    Paper in fire
    Smokin' up the alleyways
    Who's to say the way
    A man should spend his days
    Do you let them smolder
    Like paper in fire

    He wanted love
    With no involvement
    So he chased"Paper In Fire"

    She had a dream
    And boy it was a good one
    So she chased after her dream
    With much desire
    But when she got too close
    To her expectations
    Well the dream burned up
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus:]
    Paper in fire
    Stinkin' up the ashtrays
    Paper in fire
    Smokin' up the alleyways
    Who's to say the way
    A man should spend his days
    Do you let them smolder
    Like paper in fire

    He wanted love
    With no involvement
    So he chased the wind
    That's all his silly life required
    And the days of vanity
    Went on forever
    And he saw his days burn up
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus]

    There is a good life
    Right across the green field
    And each generation
    Stares at it from afar
    But we keep no check
    On our appetites
    So the green fields turn to brown
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus] the wind
    That's all his silly life required
    And the days of vanity
    Went on forever
    And he saw his days burn up
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus]

    There is a good life
    Right across the green field
    And each generation
    Stares at it from afar
    But we keep no check
    On our appetites
    So the green fields turn to brown
    Like paper in fire

    [Chorus]

    I.... ....

    I burned that licence myself...

  95. G.... V....

    I would love to see you & Larry together just one time. I know I know

  96. J.... G....

    Wow white folks and black folks having fun together... we need to get back to that time.

  97. G.... L....

    Those days are gone

  98. R.... Q....

    So young and handsome here.

  99. N.... D....

    Playing on my beats headphones ,cranked Flying on my mountain bike downhill In & out of turns With that beat!!! It was such a great run I looked up the video and love it more....

  100. s.... m....

    I wish everyone would forget bout colour
    We are all just people


    And oh yes the boy could sing
    And a great video

    s.... m....

    it will never happen, stephen. i'm gonna bite my tongue and stop right there.